To further help the consumer, plans would also be given a "metal level" depending on the actuarial values, or how much of the costs of covered benefits are borne by the insurer and how much by the policy holder. The metal levels are bronze, where 60 percent of costs are covered by the plan; silver, at 70 percent; gold, at 80 percent; and platinum, at 90 percent.

"These AVs, called 'metal levels,' will assist consumers in comparing and selecting health plans by allowing a potential enrollee to compare the relative payment generosity of available plans," HHS said in the rule. "Taken together, EHB and AV will significantly increase consumers' ability to compare and make an informed choice about health plans."


On top of all this, the rules expand employer-sponsored wellness programs. Essentially, these let customers save money on their plans as a reward for meeting certain health and wellness goals. Under the new rules, the maximum award under a wellness plan grows from 20 percent of the cost of coverage to 30 percent, the HHS said. Anti-smoking plans can go up to 50 percent, though.

HHS is accepting comments on the rules up to 30 days after they're published in the Federal Register.

Back to HCB News

More Industry Headlines